New Poll Shows 54% of Washington Voters Support Marijuana Legalization

A poll released on Monday finds 54% of voters from Washington state is in favor of Initiative 502 (I-502) that would legalize small amounts of marijuana for recreational use among people age 21 and older.

According to the polls from Strategies 360, a Seattle-based political consulting firm, only 38% of Washington voters opposed the initiative and about 7% said they were undecided, The Seattle Times reports.

Two other states considering similar measure are Colorado and Oregon. The latest poll in Colorado shows 48% of the voters favor marijuana legalization measure, but support is weakening and opposition is firming up. Legalization is also on the ballot in Oregon, however, the measure is far behind in the polls.

The poll by Strategies 360 wasn’t the first to show the numbers of those in favor of marijuana legalization in Washington. Earlier, a survey from SurveyUSA and KING 5 NEWS reveals 55% of Washington voters would want marijuana legalized in the state. In another poll, conducted by KCTS 9 Washington, 51% of the voters support the measure, compared to the 41% who are not in favor of it.

If passed, Initiative 502 would legalize possession of marijuana for adults who are 21 years and older. It would also tax marijuana sales, license and regulate marijuana production and distribution, as well as remove state-law criminal and civil penalties for activities that it authorizes.